COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GSW Worldwide, a part of the inChord Communications division of Ventiv Health Inc. and one of the largest healthcare advertising agencies in the world, was recently selected by MGI PHARMA as its agency of record for Saforis(TM), an investigational, patented, topical, oral suspension of glutamine that utilizes a proprietary delivery system, called UpTec(TM), to protect oral mucosa from damaging effects of chemotherapy.
GSW Worldwide has been selected to partner with MGI PHARMA to develop and implement a launch campaign targeted toward healthcare professionals. The assignment will be based out of the GSW Worldwide Columbus office. Specific details of the contract were not available. GSW is also the consumer marketing agency of record for another product within the MGI PHARMA oncology supportive care franchise.
“Saforis may be an important advance for patients at risk of developing oral mucositis,” said Joe Daley, president of GSW Worldwide’s Columbus office. “We are honored that MGI PHARMA has entrusted us with another assignment.”
“We are pleased to be expanding our relationship with GSW,” said Martin J. Duvall, senior vice president, commercial operations with MGI PHARMA. “They’ve proven to be an exceptional marketing partner and we trust them to assist us in achieving successful results in our direct to professional outreach.”
Saforis(TM) is an oral formulation of glutamine in a proprietary delivery system, UpTec(TM), designed to increase uptake of glutamine by the oral mucosa. Glutamine is an abundant amino acid and has multiple beneficial functions in the human body. Rapid and increased absorption of glutamine becomes critical when oral mucosa has been injured from cancer therapy. Increased levels of glutamine, delivered through this proprietary delivery system to mucosal tissues, may prevent or minimize damage from cancer treatments and help tissues recover normal function. Saforis(TM) is an investigational product that has not yet been approved by the FDA.
About MGI PHARMA
MGI PHARMA, INC. is an oncology and acute care focused biopharmaceutical company that acquires, researches, develops and commercializes proprietary products that address the unmet needs of patients. MGI PHARMA has a portfolio of proprietary pharmaceuticals, and intends to become a leading biopharmaceutical company. MGI PHARMA markets Aloxi(R) (palonosetron hydrochloride) injection and Gliadel(R) Wafer (polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant) in the United States. The company directly markets its products in the U.S. and collaborates with partners to reach international markets. For more information about MGI PHARMA, please visit http://www.mgipharma.com.
About GSW Worldwide
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, GSW Worldwide is a full-service marketing and advertising agency providing Liberating Ideas(SM) to clients worldwide through offices around the globe. In 2004, the agency was named Agency of the Year by Med Ad News. GSW Worldwide is a subsidiary of inChord Communications Inc., a Ventiv Health Inc. company. For more information, please go to http://www.gsw-w.com.
About Ventiv Health
Ventiv Health, Inc. is the leading provider of late-stage clinical, sales, marketing and compliance solutions to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Ventiv is a multi-disciplinary company with a singular focus on providing excellence in customized solutions across the full spectrum of services combining both integrated and independent programs. Ventiv’s approximately 4,000 employees support over 75 client organizations, including the world’s Top 20 pharmaceuticals companies as well as emerging and specialty biotech leaders. For more information on Ventiv Health, visit http://www.ventiv.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks that may cause Ventiv Health’s performance to differ materially. Such risks include, without limitation: changes in trends in the pharmaceutical industry or in pharmaceutical outsourcing; our ability to compete successfully with other services in the market; our ability to maintain large client contracts or to enter into new contracts; uncertainties related to future incentive payments; and, our ability to operate successfully in new lines of business. Readers of this press release are referred to documents filed from time to time by Ventiv Health Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these and other factors.
Ventiv Health Inc.
CONTACT: Rachel Escusa, inChord Communications, +1-614-543-6444,rescusa@inchord.com; or Kellie Walsh, Lazar Partners Ltd., +1-646-871-8480,kwalsh@lazarpartners.com, for Ventiv Health, Inc.; Investor: John Emery,CFO, Ventiv Health, Inc., +1-732-537-4804, investor@ventiv.com
